Device for checking the appearance of a connection

Abstract

Device (1) for checking the appearance of a connection (12) crimped to an end of an electrical wire (11), the device (1) for checking the appearance comprising: a body of revolution (4) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (L2); a connection support unit (10) configured to hold the connection (12) which is inserted into the rotating body (4) in a rotationally fixed state in which an entire outer circumference of a part to be tested is open, and in a state in which a central axis (L1) of the connection (12) is aligned with the axis of rotation (L2); a camera (7) which is provided in a state in which a light receiving axis (L3) is aligned with the rotation axis (L2); and an optical image transmission unit (70) which is provided in the rotating body (4) such that it rotates together with the rotating body (4), which is provided such that a light entry end (71) faces an outer circumferential surface of the connector (12) which is held on the connector support unit (10), and a light exit end (73) is provided on the light reception axis (L3) of the camera (7), and which is configured to emit an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector (12), which was input into the light entry end (71), from the light exit end (73) in the direction of the camera (7), the optical image transmission unit (70) comprises: a light entry mirror (71) provided at the light entry end (71); a light emission mirror (73) provided at the light emission end (73); and one or more intermediate mirrors (72) designed to transmit an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection (12), which is / are input into the light entry mirror (71) and is reflected from the light entry mirror (71) to the light exit mirror (73), and which emit the optical image from the light exit mirror (73) to the camera (7), wherein the body of revolution (4) has a pair of side plates (42A, 42B) with inner surfaces parallel to the axis of rotation (L2) and grooves (46, 47, 48) for holding an optical element on each inner surface, and wherein the light entry mirror (71), the light exit mirror (73) and the intermediate mirror (72) are arranged between the pair of side plates (42A, 42B) by fitting the two side edges of both the light entry mirror (71), the light exit mirror (73) and the intermediate mirror (72) into the grooves (46, 47, 48) provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side plates (42A, 42B) for holding the optical elements.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for inspecting the appearance of a connector. The device for inspecting the appearance is configured such that the appearance of a part to be inspected (a crimp section or the like) of the connector, which is crimped to one end of an electrical wire, is inspected by imaging the part to be inspected with a camera. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In the manufacture of a terminaled electrical wire, obtained by crimping a terminal onto one end of an electrical wire, a suitable length of insulating coating is stripped from the end of the electrical wire to expose a core conductor. An exposed section of the core conductor is positioned against a conductor crimp section on the rear side of the terminal, and then the conductor crimp section is crimped. A coated crimp section on the rear side of the terminal is crimped to a section bearing the insulating coating. In this way, the terminaled electrical wire is manufactured.

[0003] If a defect occurs in the crimp section of this type of electrical wire, which is fitted with a terminal, or on its circumference, the electrical wire fitted with the terminal cannot be used as a product. Therefore, during manufacturing, an appearance inspection of the crimp section is performed to reject defective products. If the appearance inspection is automated, the crimp section of the terminal is photographed with a camera, and the captured image is compared to an image of a non-defective product, which was taken beforehand for quality determination. In this case, depending on the product number of the terminal, it may not be possible to correctly determine the quality of the crimp section if it is only photographed from one direction. Therefore, the crimp section is photographed from several angular positions around the circumference of the terminal.

[0004] For example, patent literature 1 discloses a device for examining the appearance in which a plurality of cameras are provided around a central axis of a connector and the cameras are rotated around the central axis of the connector in order to record the connector simultaneously from several positions with the cameras. Citation list - Patent literature

[0005] [Patent document 1] JP 2011 - 107 024 A

[0006] Further state of the art is known from documents JP 2011 - 107 024 A and JP 2016 - 148 598 A. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

[0007] However, the device for examining appearance described in patent literature 1 involves positioning and rotating multiple cameras, which can complicate the structure and increase costs. The rotational range of the cameras is limited due to a connection to a camera wiring cable or similar component. Increasing the number of cameras to compensate for this limitation can further complicate the structure and increase costs.

[0008] The present invention was conceived with regard to the circumstances described above. It is a manifestation of the present invention to provide a device for inspecting the appearance of a connector, capable of imaging an outer circumferential surface of a connector from any angle in the circumferential direction with a camera, without rotating the camera, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing costs. Solution to the problem

[0009] To solve the problem described above, a device for checking the appearance of a connection according to the present invention is characterized by the following points (1) to (3). (1) A device for testing the appearance of a connection includes the features of claim 1. (2) The device for testing the appearance of a connection according to point (1), the device for testing the appearance further comprising: a control device configured to control the rotation of the rotating body and the image acquisition performed by the camera, wherein the control device is configured to control the camera each time the rotating body is rotated by a predetermined angle in order to capture an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector. (3) Device for checking the appearance of a connection according to point (2), wherein the control device is configured to control the rotating body and the camera in such a way as to capture a projection image of the connection inserted into the rotating body over a predetermined angular range and to set a depicted position at which a height of the connection in the projection image is the lowest as a reference position and to begin checking the appearance of the connection.

[0010] According to the device for inspecting the appearance of a connector, which has the configuration according to point (1), the optical image transmission unit, in which the light entry end faces the outer circumferential surface of the connector, is rotated so that it is possible to image the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector by a single stationary camera over its entire circumference. The rotation is not to be stopped at the moment the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector is captured, so that it is possible to quickly image the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector at any position in the circumferential direction without being limited by the angle. Thus, it is possible to set an imaging section according to the product number of the connector and to reliably inspect the appearance of a section where, depending on the product number, a defect is likely to occur.

[0011] According to the device for inspecting the appearance of a connector with the configuration according to point (1), it is possible to image the optical surface of the connector's outer circumference with the camera using only the reflection of the mirrors provided as elements of the optical image transmission unit. Therefore, the setup is simple and costs can be reduced.

[0012] According to the device for testing the appearance of a connection with the configuration according to point (1), it is possible to attach and hold the mirrors provided as elements of the optical image transmission unit simply and reliably. Therefore, the setup is simple and easy to assemble, and costs can be reduced.

[0013] According to the device for testing the appearance of a connection with the configuration according to point (2), the control device controls the rotating body and the camera in conjunction with each other, so that it is possible to automatically capture the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection, which was taken from a desired angle.

[0014] According to the device for testing the appearance of a connection with the configuration according to point (3), even if the connection to be tested was inserted into the rotating body in an inclined state, it is possible to image and capture the optical image in which an inclination angle of the connection has been corrected at the desired angle. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0015] According to the device for testing the appearance of a connection according to the present invention, it is possible to image an outer circumferential surface of a connection from any angle in the circumferential direction with a camera without rotating the camera, thereby simplifying a structure and reducing costs.

[0016] The present invention has been briefly described above. Details of the present invention will be explained in more detail by reading about an embodiment described below (hereinafter referred to as the "embodiment") for carrying out the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view providing an overview of a device for testing the appearance of a connection according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an overall sectional view of the device for checking the appearance. Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a main part of the device for checking the appearance. Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of the main part of the device for checking the appearance. Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are configuration views of a rotating body of the device for checking its appearance, wherein Fig. 5A represents a perspective exterior view, and Fig. 5B is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a side panel has been removed. Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic overall view of a production line for crimping a connector, which includes the device for checking the appearance according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a method to obtain an angular position of an inspection reference point when the connection to be inserted and placed in the device for inspection of appearance is inclined. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0017] In the following, a specific embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view representing the overall structure of a device for testing the appearance of a connection according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a complete sectional view. Fig. Figure 3 is a sectional view of a main part. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view of the main part.

[0019] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a device 1 for checking an appearance according to the present embodiment is configured to check the appearance of a part to be tested (a crimp section or the like) of a terminal 12 crimped to an end of an electrical wire 11 by imaging the part to be tested with a camera 7.The device 1 for checking the appearance comprises a stationary frame 3 erected on a base plate 2, a rotating body 4 rotatably mounted on the stationary frame 3 via a bearing 31, a rotary transmission mechanism 5 configured to transmit a rotational force to the rotating body 4 by means of a belt 51, a motor 6 configured to drive the rotating body 4 via the rotary transmission mechanism 5, a camera 7, which is an imaging unit, a lens 8 arranged in front of the camera 7, an optical image transmission unit 70 provided in the rotating body 4, and a connection support unit 10 configured to hold the connection 12 to be tested.

[0020] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a common axis L is arranged essentially horizontally in the device 1 for checking the appearance. The rotating body 4 is designed to rotate about a rotation axis L2, which lies on the common axis L, as indicated by an arrow N in Figure 3. Fig. 4 specified. The connection support unit 10 holds the connection 12 inserted into the rotating body 4 in a rotationally fixed state in which an entire outer circumference of the part to be tested is open, and holds the connection 12 in a state in which at the same time a central axis L1 of the connection 12 is aligned with the common axis L.

[0021] The camera 7 is located at a position spaced apart from the rotating body 4 and is mounted and secured on a camera base 9 in a state in which a light-receiving axis L3 is aligned with the common axis L. The optical image transmission unit 70 is provided within the rotating body 4 so that it rotates together with the rotating body 4 and comprises a light-entry mirror 71, corresponding to a light-entry end, a light-exit mirror 73, corresponding to a light-exit end, and one or more intermediate mirrors 72.

[0022] The light-entry mirror 71 is designed such that the reflective surface 71a faces an outer circumferential surface of the connection 12, which is supported by the connection support unit 10. In particular, the light-entry mirror 71 is inclined at 45° to the axis of rotation L2 and reflects an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection 12 in the direction of the camera 7 parallel to the common axis L.

[0023] The intermediate mirror 72 and the light exit mirror 73 are each formed from a prism. The intermediate mirror 72 is positioned at a distance from the axis of rotation L2, and a reflective surface 72a of the intermediate mirror 72 receives the light reflected from the light entry mirror 71 and reflects the reflected light in the direction of the common axis L. The light exit mirror 73 is positioned on the light reception axis L3 of the camera 7, i.e., on the common axis L.

[0024] This means that the light-entry mirror 71, the light-exit mirror 73, and the intermediate mirror 72 are arranged such that the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector 12, which is input into the light-entry mirror 71, is emitted from the light-exit mirror 73 via the intermediate mirror 72 to the camera 7 (this is referred to as a "transmission condition"). The orientation and arrangement of the light-entry mirror 71, the light-exit mirror 73, and the intermediate mirror 72 can be freely adjusted as long as the transmission condition described above is met. Instead of a mirror or prism, another transmission material, such as an optical fiber or similar, can be used to store the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector in the camera 7.

[0025] Both Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are configuration views of the rotating body 4 of the device 1 for checking the appearance, wherein Fig. 5A is a perspective exterior view, and Fig. 5B is a perspective view showing a state in which a side panel has been removed.

[0026] As in the Fig. 5A and Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, the rotating body 4 comprises a circular end plate 41, which is provided at one end of the rotating body 4 in the axial direction, a rectangular end plate 43, which is provided at the other end of the rotating body 4 in the axial direction, and a pair of side plates 42A, 42B, which are provided between the circular end plate 41 and the rectangular end plate 43 and rigidly connect the two end plates 41, 43. The two side plates 42A, 42B comprise inner surfaces parallel to the axis of rotation L2 of the rotating body 4 and have grooves 46, 47, 48 on each inner surface for holding an optical element, configured to support the light-entry mirror 71, the intermediate mirror 72, and the light-exit mirror 73.The light entry mirror 71, the intermediate mirror 72 and the light exit mirror 73 are arranged sandwich-like between the pair of side plates 42A, 42B in a state in which they are located between the pair of side plates 42A, 42B, by fitting the two side edges of both the light entry mirror 71, the intermediate mirror 72 and the light exit mirror 73 into the grooves 46, 47, 48 for holding the optical element on the inner surfaces of the two side plates 42A, 42B.

[0027] The circular end plate 41 on one side of the camera 7 is provided with a slot 41a to direct the light reflected from the light exit mirror 73 to the camera 7. In the center of the rectangular end plate 43 on one insertion side of the connector 12, an insertion hole 43a is provided for inserting the connector 12 into the rotating body 4.

[0028] As in Fig. Figure 3 shows a frame body 45, which has winding teeth of the belt 51 on a cylindrical outer circumferential section thereof, attached and fastened to an outer circumference of the rotating body 4, and the frame body 45 is attached to the bearing 31 such that the rotating body 4 is rotatably mounted in the stationary frame 3. The connection entry side of the rotating body 4 is covered with a cover 35, which is attached to the stationary frame 3, and the rotating body 4 is rotated in the cover 35.

[0029] Next, a company will be described.

[0030] When the appearance of the terminal 12 is inspected using the device 1, the terminal 12, crimped to the end of the electrical wire 11, is inserted into the rotating body 4 with the aid of the terminal support unit 10 and positioned and held in a predetermined inspection position. In this state, the rotating body 4 is rotated, and the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the terminal 12 is imaged by the camera 7 at any angular position within a 360° range. That is, the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the terminal 12 is reflected by the light-entry mirror 71 towards the intermediate mirror 72, is reflected by the intermediate mirror 72 towards the light-emission mirror 73, enters the camera 7 via the lens 8 from the light-emission mirror 73, and is captured as image data. A thick arrow Y in Fig. Figure 3 indicates a transmission path of the optical image.

[0031] For example, the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of connection 12 is captured by camera 7 at angular positions in 22.5° increments, which are obtained by dividing 360° into 16 parts. It is possible to freely adjust the number of divisions and to set them to a coarser subdivision (e.g., 8 divisions) or a finer subdivision (e.g., 32 divisions). It is also possible to define a position that is to be imaged independently of the number of divisions.

[0032] With regard to determining the imaging angle position and capturing the optical image at that position, for example, a control device (not shown), configured to drive the entire device 1 for inspection of the appearance, inputs a rotation angle of the rotating body 4, calculated by a control device of the motor 6. When the rotating body 4 is rotated to the preset rotation angle, the control device controls the camera 7 to capture the optical image. Alternatively, a rotation sensor configured to detect the rotation angle of the rotating body 4 is provided separately at a preset rotation angle, and the control device captures the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection with the camera 7 according to a detection signal from it.

[0033] As described above, according to the device 1 for examining the appearance according to the present embodiment, the optical image transmission unit 70, in which the light entry end (the light entry mirror) 71 faces the outer circumferential surface of the connector 12, is rotated such that it is possible to image the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector 12 by a stationary camera 7 over the entire circumference of the connector 12 in the circumferential direction. It is not necessary to stop the rotation of the rotating body 4 at the time the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector 12 is imaged, so that it is possible to image the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector 12 quickly at any desired point in the circumferential direction without being limited by the angle.Thus, it is possible to set a section to be mapped according to the product number of connection 12 and to reliably check the appearance of a section in which a defect is to be expected depending on the product number.

[0034] The image captured by camera 7 is compared with an image obtained by first scanning a normal product with a microcomputer or similar device in the control unit to determine whether the product is free of defects or faulty. These comparisons and determinations can be performed automatically by the microcomputer that carries out the image processing. If the device 1 is used for visual inspection, e.g., as a standalone desktop computer, it is possible to display the captured image or a determination result on a [unclear - possibly a separate device]. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 to display 60.

[0035] To improve imaging conditions, an object (the section of the connection to be tested) is preferably illuminated by a lighting device (not shown). A background element for further brightening the optical image of the object can be provided on one side opposite the light-entry mirror 71, with the connection 12, which forms the object, positioned between them.

[0036] The test points for determining a defect-free product and a defective product, in the case of a crimp section of an ordinary electrical wire, include: "whether there is an anomaly in the insertion of the core conductor", "whether there is an anomaly in the adhesion of the coating", "whether there is an anomaly in the stripping", "whether there is an anomaly with respect to the fraying of the core conductor", "whether there is a funnel shape anomaly", "whether there is an anomaly with respect to burrs on the back (by which the wear of a tooth profile of the crimping device can be seen)" and "whether there is an anomaly with respect to damage to the die".In the case of a coaxial electrical cable, the test points for determining a faultless product and a defective product include, in addition to the points for an ordinary electrical wire, "whether there is an anomaly in the folding back of the shield", "whether there is an anomaly in the fraying of the aluminum foil" and "whether there is an anomaly in the remaining insulation".

[0037] According to the device 1 for examining the appearance according to the embodiment, it is possible to image the optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection 12 with the camera 7 only by using the reflection of the mirrors (light entry mirror 71, intermediate mirror 72 and light exit mirror 73) which are provided as elements of the optical image transmission unit 70. Therefore, the design is simple, which reduces costs.

[0038] According to the device 1 for examining the appearance according to the present embodiment, the mirrors are held by fitting the two side edges of the light-entry mirror 71, the intermediate mirror 72, and the light-exit mirror 73 into the grooves 46, 47, 48 for holding the optical element of the two side plates 42A, 42B, which are components of the rotating body 4, so that the mirrors can be easily and reliably attached and held. This makes the assembly simple and easy to mount, thereby reducing costs.

[0039] Next, an example will be briefly described in which the device for checking the appearance is used in a series of steps for crimping a connection to the coaxial electrical cable.

[0040] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic overall representation of a production line for crimping a connector, which includes the device for checking the appearance according to the present embodiment.

[0041] In this production line, a process runs from one right end to the left end in Fig. 6. The electrical wire and connection are arranged such that their axes are aligned orthogonally to the drawing, held by a chuck, and placed sequentially into a fixture configured to perform the work process steps in sequence. Appearance inspection devices are provided at several positions in the sequence of the process steps.

[0042] When the production line for crimping a terminal is described according to the sequence of process steps, an electrical wire insertion mechanism 81 is provided at the most upstream position. Next, in sequence, are a first stripping mechanism 82, a first crimping mechanism 83, a camera mechanism 84, a shielding folding mechanism 85, a second stripping mechanism 86, a second crimping mechanism 87, a shielding spreading mechanism 88, a first 360° camera mechanism (the appearance inspection device according to the present embodiment) 89, a third crimping mechanism 90, a second 360° camera mechanism (the appearance inspection device according to the present embodiment) 91, and a release mechanism 92.

[0043] When the device for checking the appearance according to the present embodiment is used in the production line for crimping a terminal, as described above, i.e., arranged on the production line (in-line), a device designed to control the entire production line for crimping a terminal normally includes a display for setting the operation of each mechanism or a display status, so that the Fig. 1 and Fig. The 2 displayed display 60 can be dispensed with.

[0044] If there is a change (a change in the direction of rotation about the central axis L1 of the connector) of the insertion angle of the connector 12 with respect to the interior of the rotating body 4, it is necessary to define a reference position at the time of the mapping of the connector 12. For example, as in Fig.Figure 7 shows that when the crimp section of terminal 12 is placed in the test position, a projection image of terminal 12 is first captured at a predetermined angle before the optical image is acquired for the appearance check. Then, an imaging position at which the height (thickness) of the projection image is smallest is defined as the reference position.

[0045] For example, if the height of the projection image is t1 at position A, t2 at position B, t3 at position C, and if t2 is the minimum, then position B, where the thickness is least, is set as the reference position (0°), and the subsequent image is captured to check the appearance.

[0046] Here, features of the previously described device for testing the appearance of a connection according to the embodiment of the present invention are briefly summarized in the following points [1] to [5].

[0047] [1] Device for checking the appearance (1) of a connection (12) crimped to an end of an electrical wire (11), the device for checking the appearance (1) comprising: a body of revolution (4) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (L2); a connection support unit (10) configured to support the connection (12) inserted into the rotating body (4) in a state in which an entire outer circumference of a part to be tested is open and a central axis (L1) of the connection (12) is aligned with the axis of rotation (L2); a camera (7) which is provided in a state in which a light receiving axis (L3) is aligned with the rotation axis (L2); and an optical image transmission unit (70) which is provided in the rotating body (4) in such a way that it rotates together with the rotating body (4), which is provided in such a way that a light entry end (71) faces an outer circumferential surface of the connection (12) which is mounted on the connection support unit (10), and a light exit end (73) is provided on the light reception axis (L3) of the camera (7), and which is configured to emit an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection (12) which was input into the light entry end (71) from the light exit end (73) in the direction of the camera (7).

[0048] [2] Device for checking the appearance (1) of a connection according to point [1], comprising the optical image transmission unit (70): a light entry mirror (71) provided at the light entry end; a light exit mirror (73) provided at the light exit end; and one or more intermediate mirrors (72) designed to transmit an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection (12) which is / are input into the light entry mirror (71) and is reflected from the light entry mirror (71) to the light exit mirror (73) by reflection, and which emits the optical image from the light exit mirror (73) to the camera.

[0049] [3] Device for checking the appearance (1) of a connection according to point [2], wherein the body of revolution (4) has a pair of side plates (42A, 42B) with inner surfaces parallel to the axis of rotation (L2) and grooves (46, 47, 48) for holding optical elements on each inner surface, and wherein the light entry mirror (71), the light exit mirror (73) and the intermediate mirror (72) are sandwich-like arranged between the pair of side plates (42A, 42B) by fitting both side edges of the light entry mirror (71), the light exit mirror (73) and the intermediate mirror (72) into the grooves (46, 47, 48) provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side plates (42A, 42B) for holding the optical elements.

[0050] [4] Device for testing the appearance of a connection according to any one of points [1] to [3], the device for testing the appearance further comprising: a control device configured to control the rotation of the rotating body (4) and the image acquisition performed by the camera (7), wherein the control device is configured to control the camera (7) each time the rotating body (4) is rotated by a predetermined angle in order to take an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector (12).

[0051] [5] Device for checking the appearance of a connection according to point [4], wherein the control device is configured to control the rotating body (4) and the camera (7) to capture a projection image of the connector (12) inserted into the rotating body (4) over a predetermined angular range, and sets a depicted position at which a height of the connector (12) is the lowest in the projection image as the reference position and begins to check the appearance of the connector (12). REFERENCE MARK LIST 3 FIXED FRAME 4 ROTATING BODY 7 CAMERA 10 connection support units 11 ELECTRIC WIRE 12 CONNECTIONS 41 Circular endplate 41A SLOT 42A, 42B SIDE PLATE 70 OPTICAL IMAGE TRANSMISSION UNIT 71 Light Entry Mirror (Light Entry End) 72 INTERMEDIATE MIRRORS 73 Light Emission Mirror (Light Emitting End) 71a, 72a, 73a REFLECTIVE SURFACES L1 CENTER AXIS OF THE CONNECTION L2 TURNTABLE AXLE L3 Light Receiving Axis

Claims

[1] Device (1) for checking the appearance of a connection (12) crimped to an end of an electrical wire (11), the device (1) for checking the appearance comprising: a body of revolution (4) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (L2); a connection support unit (10) configured to hold the connection (12) which is inserted into the rotating body (4) in a rotationally fixed state in which an entire outer circumference of a part to be tested is open, and in a state in which a central axis (L1) of the connection (12) is aligned with the axis of rotation (L2); a camera (7) which is provided in a state in which a light receiving axis (L3) is aligned with the rotation axis (L2); and an optical image transmission unit (70) which is provided in the rotating body (4) such that it rotates together with the rotating body (4), which is provided such that a light entry end (71) faces an outer circumferential surface of the connector (12) which is held on the connector support unit (10), and a light exit end (73) is provided on the light reception axis (L3) of the camera (7), and which is configured to emit an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector (12), which was input into the light entry end (71), from the light exit end (73) in the direction of the camera (7), the optical image transmission unit (70) comprises: a light entry mirror (71) provided at the light entry end (71); a light emission mirror (73) provided at the light emission end (73); and one or more intermediate mirrors (72) designed to transmit an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connection (12), which is / are input into the light entry mirror (71) and is reflected from the light entry mirror (71) to the light exit mirror (73), and which emit the optical image from the light exit mirror (73) to the camera (7), wherein the body of revolution (4) has a pair of side plates (42A, 42B) with inner surfaces parallel to the axis of rotation (L2) and grooves (46, 47, 48) for holding an optical element on each inner surface, and wherein the light entry mirror (71), the light exit mirror (73) and the intermediate mirror (72) are arranged between the pair of side plates (42A, 42B) by fitting the two side edges of both the light entry mirror (71), the light exit mirror (73) and the intermediate mirror (72) into the grooves (46, 47, 48) provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side plates (42A, 42B) for holding the optical elements. [2] Device (1) for testing the appearance of a connection (12) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) for testing the appearance further comprises: a control device configured to control the rotation of the rotating body (4) and the image acquisition performed by the camera (7), wherein the control device is configured to control the camera (7) each time the rotating body (4) is rotated by a predetermined angle in order to take an optical image of the outer circumferential surface of the connector (12). [3] Device (1) for checking the appearance of a connector (12) according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to control the rotating body (4) and the camera (7) in such a way that it captures a projection image of the connector (12) inserted into the rotating body (4) over a predetermined angular range and sets a depicted position at which the height of the connector (12) is the lowest in the projection image as a reference position and begins checking the appearance of the connector (12).

Images